Willie Nelson’s Braids Sell for Big Money at Auction

Willie Nelson's trademark braids fetched a whopping price at an auction over the weekend.

According to Reuters, Nelson cut off the braids and gave them to his friend, fellow outlaw country superstar Waylon Jennings, at a party thrown by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash to celebrate Jennings' sobriety in 1983. Nelson's hair was still red at the time, and the distinctive braids -- which have become an iconic part of country music history -- were the most talked-about item in the auction, which took place at the Museum of Musical Instruments in Phoenix, Ariz.

An undisclosed buyer paid $37,000 for the braids on Sunday (Oct. 5), according to a statement from New York-based Guernsey's auction house, which handled the auction of many of Jennings' most unique possessions.

Other items included Buddy Holly’s Ariel Cyclone motorcycle, which sold for $450,000, as well as a robe and boxing gloves from Muhammad Ali, Hank Williams’ Nudie cowboy boots and a handwritten letter from John Lennon to Jennings. The auction also contained some of Jennings' personal items, like handwritten lyrics.

Jennings passed away in 2002 from complications from diabetes. The auction was meant to bring awareness to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, which is ranked as one of the best children's hospitals for 2014-2015 by US News and World Report.